Suspended railway car fluidicly supported

ABSTRACT

1,224,334. Transporter systems; tracked hovercars. M. BARTHALON. 20 May, 1968 [7 June, 1967], No. 23831/68. Addition to 1,167,621 and 1,198,268. Headings B7K and B7L. The transporter system of parent Specifications comprising a powered car suspended from an overhead track beam by creating a subatmospheric pressure in lifting chambers formed between the car and the beam, is improved or modified in the following respects. The track beam 1 comprises adjustable wings 7 having projecting flanges 403 and the slide block 55 dovetails therein. The air extractor fans 427 extract air from a lifting chamber 420 and guide chambers 426 and discharge it through longitudinal nozzles 433 so as to impede the flow of air into the chambers 426. Lips are provided for sealing on each surface 411 of the slide block 55 and are equipped with friction shoes to engage the upper surface of each flange 403. The airconditioned car 9 is suspended from the slide block 55 by an evacuated springing chamber 408 communicating with the lifting chamber 420, and by hydropneumatic spring links 409. Successive slide blocks 55 are interconnected by flexible joints and successive cabins 9 by flexible bellows. The fans 427 may alternatively extract air directly from the guide chambers 426 (Fig. 10), and may be four in number, mounted on a frame 495 together with the windings 422 of the linear electric traction motor, the frame being spring-damper-mounted on the slide block. A points system (Fig. 13) joins a branch line 523 to a main line 522, 521, and comprises laterally pivotable side sections 526, 527 of the wings 524 and flanges 525, and a movable wing 537 rotatable about axis O by a pinion 544 meshing with a toothed section 545 movably housed in the beam 1, and guided by T-section slides 538, 539 sliding in grooves in the beam 1. In another embodiment, the points system comprises two wing sections (with flanges) connected to opposite ends of centrallypivoted cross-members which are oscillated by cranks on a shaft driven by a motor, so that the wing sections are retractable vertically and oppositely into slots in the beam 1 to set the points system in the two conditions. One of the wing sections is laterally pivotable as before. Each wing section is locked in working position by latches which engage in grooves in the interior of the beam 1 and which are on the end of a link joining the end of the cross-member to the wing section.

May 12, 1970 M. BARVI'HALON 3, 6

SUSPENDED RAILWAY CAR FLUIDICLY SUPPORTED Filed May 15, 1968 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.7

May 12., 1970 M. BARTHALON 3,511,186

SUSPENDED RAILWAY CAR FLUIDICLY SUPPORTED 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed ma 15, 1968 H rrys.

W M r w May 12, 1970 M. BARTHALON 3,511,186

SUSPENDED RAILWAY CAR FLUIDICLY SUPPORTED I Filed May 15, 1968 Sheets-Sheet 5 MQflE/df 619197191940 6YMrW-A y 1970 M. BARTHALON 3,511,186

SUSPENDED RAILWAY CAR FLUIDICLY SUPPORTED Fig.70

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May 12., 1970 M. BARTHALON SUSPENDED RAILWAY CAR FLUIDICLY SUPPORTED 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed May 15, 1968 United States Patent 3,511,186 SUSPENDED RAILWAY CAR FLUIDICLY SUPPORTED Maurice Barthalon, 78 Avenue Henri Martin, Paris, France Filed May 15, 1968, Ser. No. 729,211 Claims priority, application France, June 7, 1967,

09,425 Int. Cl. B61b 3/02, 13/08; B60v 3/04 U.S. Cl. 104-89 42 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Transporter of the type comprising a continuous beam from which is suspended a vehicle, by means of one chamber at sub-atmospheric pressure reserved between the beam and the vehicle and rendered sensibly tight by sealing means permitting the displacement of the vehicle, this chamber, which is connected to an air extraction means carried by the vehicle, comprising at least a surface forming part of the beam and situated above a surface belonging to the vehicle, such that the subatmospheric pressure produced in the chamber creates a force having a rising vertical component which contributes to the support of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application relates to improvements to the transporter described and claimed in my copending patent application Ser. No. 607,184 filed Jan. 4, 1967, now abandoned, and its continuation-in-part Ser. No. 673,818 filed Oct. 9, 1967. This latter application will be referred to in the subsequent specification as the main patent.

In the main patent there is described a transporter of the type comprising at least a sensibly continuous beam acting as a track and from which is suspended at least a vehicle--or car-capable of moving along this track and equipped with propulsion means ensuring its movement.

The transporter according to the main patent is characterised in that it comprises a support means using air at sub-atmospheric pressure. This support means comprises at least one chamber defined between the beam and the vehicle and rendered sensibly tight by sealing means permitting the displacement of the vehicle, this chamber, which is connected to an air extraction means carried by the vehicle, comprising at least a surface forming part of the beam and situated above a surface belonging to the vehicle, such that the sub-atmospheric pressure produced in the chamber creates a force having a rising vertical component which contributes to the support of the vehicle.

In these transporters comprising vehicles guided and supported by a surface effect, it is difficult when the profile along the track is not perfect, to avoid intermittent contact between the track and skirts carried by the vehicle which define the support or lateral guidance chambers.

In fact the support chambers do not form elastic element of suflicient stiffness with respect to the mass of the vehicle so that the edges of the skirts of the latter can touch the track. As a result the edges of the skirts wear rapidly when the speed of the vehicle becomes appreciable. Furthermore as the support chamber can only have a movement of small amplitude it is inadequate to provide comfortable springing of the vehicle.

In the main patent, a vehicle has been described comprising springing, or suspension means, provided between the slide-block and the cabin, said means in one specific embodiment comprising chambers at sub-atmospheric pressure and which with the support chambers constitute a two-stage suspension of the vehicle reducing the unspring mass and thus contributing to reducing very appreciably the number of accidental contacts between the edges of the skirts and the track.

A first group of improvements, according to the present invention, reduces the number of these accidental contacts by further reducing the weight of the slide block thanks to a particular profile of the beam and guiding wings of the vehicle, these means permitting a simple slide block of small dimensions (and thus light) to be realised.

A second group of improvements defined in the present invention further reduces the unsprung mass of the a slide block, and concerns a means of connection between the latter and the air extraction means and propulsion means which it necessarily carries.

Finally the means of guiding the slide block introduced in the present invention lends itself well to the realisation of systems of points which are especially simple and light, and which advantageously resolves the problem of points, thisproblem being particularly difficult in the case of surface effect vehicles.

In the following description, the term support chambers is used for the chambers at sub-atmospheric pressure which ensure especially the support of the vehicle and the term springing chambers for those whose function is more especially to ensure the elastic suspension of the cabin.

According to a first improvement of the present invention, the transporter which, in accordance with the main patent, comprises vehicles suspended from a guide beam by an intermediate support chamber at sub-atmospheric pressure, is characterised in that the beam is equipped, on each side of the support surface, with lateral wings directed downwards and having transverse flanges facing each other, whereas the vehicle comprises at least one slide block movable in the space defined between the support surface, the wings and the flanges of beam, this slide block having side faces facing the wings and the transverse walls above the flanges of the latter, these means being further intended to ensure a sub-atmospheric pressure in at least one of the volumes thus arranged between the beam and its attachments on the one hand, and the slide block on the other.

This arrangement allows a particularly compact and light slide block to be achieved. Furthermore the protection of the track against adverse weather conditions is very effective since the inner face of the guide wing and also the upper face of the sealing flanges, are completely protected against atmospheric precipitation by the support surface, the assembly of these Walls forming an enveloping surface.

The side surfaces of the slide block facing the wings of the beam ensure, in cooperation with these wings, an effective and economical means of guidance.

According to another improvement of the present invention the sealing means of the support chamber comprises a double fluid curtain, the first curtain being formed by the air drawn in and the second by the air discharged, opposing air entry into the chamber. According to an improved variant the slide block also comprises a system of recirculation of the air forming the two fluid curtains. Thus the power necessary for pneumatic support, and the amount of dust circulating in the support chamber is reduced in a large extent.

According to a fourth improvement intended to reduce the unsprung mass of the slide block, an elastic means is provided to ensure springing relative to the slide block of certain units such as the motors or extractors mounted within it. To this end these organs are preferentially mounted on a frame which is connected to the 3 slide block by springs and shock absorbers. Under these conditions the mass of the unsprung part of the slide block is consider-ably reduced, and consequently the slide block follows the irregularities of the profile of the track much more easily.

According to another improvement in the present invention which is rendered effective by the very simple structure of the slide block and the guide wings carried by the beam, 3. points system is provided comprising firstly a support surface fixed to the beam, common to the main line and the branch line at the junction of these two lines, and secondly at least one movable guiding wing. This latter may preferentially occupy altternatively two positions, and by a first straight side it ensures guidance for the main line in the first position, whereas the second side which is curvilinear constitutes a guiding wing for the branch line in the second position.

According to yet another improvement, referring to a variant of the points system better adapted to large installations, the system comprises wings alternatively retractable into the support surface. Preferentially the wings corresponding to the main line and the branch line are linked together by swinging levers such that their weights balance, which increases the speed of operation, and means ensure the rotational movement of these rocking levers so as to allow either the main line or the branch line to be put into service at will.

Other features of the present invention will result from the following description.

On the attached drawings, given as non-limitative examples, are shown various embodiments of the improvements being the subject matter of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a section view on I-I of FIG. 2 of a cross section of a particular embodiment of the transporter.

FIG. 2 is a side view on a smaller scale.

FIG. 3 is a section to a larger scale of part of the beam and the slide block.

FIG. 4 is a partial section on IVIV of FIG. 2 on a larger scale.

FIG. 5 is a section view to a larger scale of a suspension link of the slide block.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show the sealing means provided between two slide blocks, these views corresponding respectively to the partial sections VIVI of FIG. 7, VIIVII and VIII--VIII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a section to a larger scale of part of FIG. 3 and represents the sealing lips.

FIG. 10 is a section view on XX of FIG. 11 of an improved slide block mounted in a beam of modified structure.

FIG. 11 is a section view from above of XIXI of FIG. 10 of the slide block.

FIGS. 12 and 13 to different scales represent a first emodiment of the points system according to partial section along XIIXII of FIG. 13 and XIII-XIII of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a similar view to FIG. 13 the points being in the other position.

FIG. 15 is a section view on XVXV of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a section on XVIXVI of FIG. 19 showing the control of another version of the retractable points arrangement.

FIG. 17 is a planned view in section along XVIIXVII of FIG. 18 of the points arrangement.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are vertical sections on XVIII-XVIII and XIXXIX of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 shows on a larger scale a detail in section of the moving wing of this points arrangement.

FIG. 21 is a section view on XXI-XXI of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 and 23 show a horizontal section on XXII- XXII of FIG. 17 of the details of embodiment of the extremities of the movable wings.

FIG. 24 is a detail in section on XXIVXXIV of FIG. 17.

FIG. 25 is a detail in transverse section of FIG. 1.

In the particular embodiment of the transporter shown in FIGS. 1-5 the beam 1, along which runs the vehicle 3, is of the rectangular cross section boxgirder type. This beam is made in pre-stressed concrete and its lower fiat face 6 is reinforced by cables 401 under mechanical tension. Beam 1 thus forms a closed box and has very high moments of inertia in bending and in torsion, for minimum weight.

Pillars 2 support beam 1 at the desired height above ground level by means of transverse arms 5 in conformity with the version of FIG. 1 of the main patent.

The support surface 6 of the beam 1 has on each side wings 7 ensuring the guidance of the slide blocks of the vehicle 3, to which are suspended the consecutive cabins 9 of this vehicle.

The wings 7, according to a feature of the invention comprise a vertical part 402 directed downwards and prolonged by a transverse sealing flange 403 oriented towards the vertical axial plane of the support track and supporting a sealing strip 404, (FIG. 3) whose attachment to the vertical part 402 of the guiding wing is appreciably lower than the edge situated facing the vertical axial plane of the support track.

In the example considered the guiding wings 7 are made in the form of a metal box in welded sheet, but may equally be formed from a light alloy extrusion. They are reinforced by girders 405 and are attached by bolts 406 to the side wall of beam 1. Preferentially the bolts 406 pass through wings 7 by means of oblong holes 407 which allow their height to be adjusted so as to ensure satisfactory alignment of the flanges 403 placed one after the other and the alignment of the flanges facing each other to adjust the banking of the track.

The sealing strip 404 permits by means of its upper surface the control of the sub-atmospheric supporting pressure and, thanks to its raised outer edge, that of the guiding sub-atmospheric pressure, and it also acts as a safety device for the slide blocks 55. Protection against adverse weather conditions is particularly effective since the support and guiding surfaces are protected from atmospheric precipitation thanks to the enveloping profile with rising edges provided.

Each slide block 55 which ensures the support of the cabin 7 by a support chamber 408 and an assembly of elastic connecting links 409, has in the application considered a box structure of dove-tail profile which enters into the semi-closed enveloping profile formed by the face 6 of beam 1, the wings 7 and their flanges 403. To this end the slide block 55 carries on each side a transverse surface 411 located above flange 403. The surface 411 borders a longitudinal groove 412 of the slide block 55 in which flange 403 penetrates. Beyond the groove 412 the slide block 55 has a second extended part 413, the bottom of which 414 faces the roof 415 of the cabin 9, these two walls being connected by a flexible sealing bellows 416 which thus defines the springing chamber 408.

The space between the lower surface 6 of the beam 1 and the upper surface 417 of the slide block, facing each other, defines a support chamber 420 whereas the space between the wing 7 and the corresponding side surface 425 of the slide block 55 defines a lateral guidance chamber 426, the chamber 420 and the two chambers 426 being subjected to subatmospheric pressure by means which will be described later. The upper surface 417 of slide block 55 has further, a central groove 418. On each side thereof sealing lips 418a separate the right and left hand support chambers. The face 417 is drilled with holes 417a and 417b which communicate with the interior of the slide block, itself separated into two halves by a longitudinal partition 4181). Thus an antiroll restoring force is obtained on the slide block.

In the groove 418 is the stator 421, attached to the surface 6 of the beam, of linear electric motor ensuring the propulsion of the vehicle 3 whose windings 422 are mounted in the s ide block 55 and Carried, for example,

on the edges of the groove 418. Several sets windings 422 may be mounted in each slide block 55.

Also mounted in the slide block 55 are the air extractor fans 427, of one or more stages, driven by motors 428 and each comprising an inlet orifice 429 connected to a suction manifold 431 opening into the support chamber 420 which improves the effectiveness of the guiding.

The delivery from the fans 427 is directed through the longitudinal passages 432 located in the extension 413, each of which has a longitudinal nozzle 433 (FIGS. 3 and 9) facing towards the corresponding wing 7, at an angle of about 180".

On the manifold 431 is mounted an air filter 438 to eliminate the larger dust particles and debris and to avoid deterioration of the fans.

The separation of the lateral guide chambers 426 from the exterior is ensured by a succession of longitudinal lips 435 (FIG. 9) which form a labyrinth with intermediate chambers 436. The lips 435 are equipped with shoes 437 whose coefficient of friction determines the maximum desired deceleration when the support is cut off and when the shoes 437 come in contact with the sealing strips 404 equipping the flanges 403.

The suspension links 409 (FIG. 5) comprise a tubular body 439 in which slides a piston 441 attached to a sliding rod 442. Springs 443 and 444 mounted in opposition on each side of the piston 441 maintain the latter in mid position, the rod 442 is attached to the slide block 55 by means of an articulation 445 carried by a web 450.

The body 439 traverses the wall 414 by an opening 446 whose area is calibrated to be slightly greater than that of the body and it is attached to the roof 415 of the cabln '9 by an articulation 448. Under these conditions when there is instantaneous displacement of the cabin 9 relative to the slide block, the variations of volume of the chamber 408 result in an appreciable throttling of the air across the orifice 446 which results in an effective pneumatic damping.

The articulation 445 and 448, of the resilient block type, are arranged with respect to each other such that the axis of the links 409 meet at a point 0, situated on the transverse axis of the vehicle appreciably above the support face of the beam 1, which ensures a high centre of roll relative to the centre of gravity of the vehicle. This point is preferentially arranged to be at a position to allow the movements resulting from lateral influences (such as side wind) on the one hand in heel and roll, and on the other hand in lateral displacement to be distributed. By the choice of the relative stiffnesses of the support and guiding chambers an optimum distribution of these effects may be made on the equipment and the passengers.

It is also intended that the interior of the body 439 of the links 409 should be filled with liquid. The throttling of this liquid in the calibrated passages 449 of piston 441 facilitates the damping of oscillations and supplement the pneumatic damping achieved by the openings 446.

Preferentially the width L of the part of the roof of the vehicle forming the lower surface of the support chamber and the width L, of the support surface are calculated such that the vertical force resulting from the operation of the extractors and the action of the springs 443 and 444 mounted in opposition, causes the volume of the support chamber to vary inversely with the weight of the cabin. This latter rises with the load and the condition of the isochronism of the springing is satisfied. These conditions are in general achieved when L is slightly smaller than L it is further intended that there should be a longitudinal sliding curtain comprising two blades 414a (FIG. between which is located a blade 415a carried by the roof of the cabin. This curtain separates the springing chamber longitudinally in two halves, each half being connected by orifices 446 and 419 to the corresponding support chamber. This arrangement opposes any tendency of the cabin to roll.

Cabin 9 is free of all auxiliary electro-mechanical equipment which makes sound-proofing easier; it only includes equipment necessary for the transport of passengers. It is formed by the body 451 insulated against heat and sound, equipped with fixed windows 452, seats 453 and a door 454 for communication with adjacent cabins. The body 451 is stiffened from roof 415 to floor 455 by profiled webs 456 (FIG. 4) to the end of which are at tached the elastics links 409. This arrangement simplifies and lightens the construction of the cabin 9.

The air conditioning of cabin 9 takes into account the permanently closed windows 452. The intake of air into the interior of the cabin 9 is preferentially effected by connecting the latter to the source of sub-atmospheric pressure arranged in the slide blocks through the intake orifices 458 practiced in the first surface of the roof 415 of the cabin, these orifices communicating with the springing chamber 408 by an orifice 459. The control of air flow is effected by a valve 461 controlling the area of the orifice 459, and by rotating shutters 462 which allow the orifices 459 to be connected to the exterior by a secondary circuit lodged in the roof 415. The valve 461 thus allows ventilation to be reduced in cold weather. The space 460 between the two walls of the ceiling 415 is filled with acoustical material through which air can pass.

Renewal of the air in the cabin 9 is effected by external ports 463 located at a distance from the slide blocks 55 and the air eddies which they produce.

The ports 465 are equipped with filters 464 and a heating and air conditioning system. Air is admitted into the cabin 9 by fresh air distribution apertures 465. Such an air conditioning system provides a flow approximately proportional to the cabin load since the sub-atmospheric pressure ensuring the support is proportional to this load.

In the example of the application considered, the vehicle 3, FIG. 2 consists of a number of cabins 9 (9a, 917 etc.) joined by a flexible bellows 471 and each cabin 9 is suspended from a number of slide blocks 55 (55a, 55b etc.).

The successive slide blocks 55a, 55b etc. are connected together by flexible joints 472 (FIG. 6 to 8) of the same profile as the boxes forming the slide blocks. Joints 472 are attached to the corresponding front surfaces of the boxes. Under these conditions the air entry losses at the junction of two slide blocks are appreciably reduced since the only leakage lines which remain are those along the longitudinal lips 435 and the two frontal lips, arranged respectively on the front surface 473 of the first slide block 55a and the rear surface of the last slide block. For this reason the support power necessary is reduced to the minimum.

Operation is as follows:

When the motors 428 driving the air extraction fans 427 are started a sub-atmospheric pressure is created in the guide chambers 426 and the support chamber 420. This depression is simultaneously communicated by perforations 419 and the groove 418 and the openings 446 of the slide block 55 to the spring chamber 408. This sub-atmospheric pressure in the spring chamber 408 and the opposing atmospheric pressure prevailing respectively on the lower surface of the roof 415 bounded by the bellows 416 creates a rising force tending to cancel the effect of the weight of the cabin 9 on the suspension rods 419.

When the forces exercised by this sub-atmospheric pressure on the upper face 417 of each such slide block 415 and on the upper face of the roof 415 of the cabin become greater than the total weight of the vehicle 3, the slide block rises to a certain height and the lips 415 lift off the flanges 413. The lift k (FIG. 9) of slide block 55 with respect to the flanges 403 is a function of the total load of the vehicle 3. A small lift corresponds to a high load and gives a minimum leakage area, which decreases the pressure in the support chambers 420 and spring chambers 408.

The surface bounded by the bellows 416 is determined such that the lifting force due to the sub-atmospheric pressure in the various slide blocks should be approximately equal to the weight of the cabin 9.

The mean height position of the spring chamber 408 is determined by the forces of the springs 443 and 444 mounted in opposition in the elastic links 409, these springs compensating for the excess or lack of lifting force by sub-atmospheric pressure.

During operation the movement of the air delivered in direction F1 by the nozzles 433 opposes the circulation of air drawn in direction F2 by the fans 427 thus creating an air curtain effect favourable to good sealing at the entrance of the lips 435.

In case support power should be cut off, cabin 9 descends and is supported by the elastic links 409, because the cylinders 439 compress upper springs 443 until they abut on the pistons 411. This ensures the safety of the spring cushion 408. At the same time the shoes 437 come into contact with the sealing band 404 attached to the upper surface wall of the flanges 403. Thus effective braking of the vehicle is obtained and the deceleration is proportional to the coeflicient of friction of the shoes 437 on the strip 404.

The arrangement specified by the invention for the beam 1 and the motor parts allows a light and compact slide block 55 to be realised which can easily follow the irregularities of the track. The profile of the surfaces of the slide block 55 which can operate with the surface 46 of the beam 1 and those of the wings 7 to form the support chamber 420 and the lateral guiding chamber 426 is such that the clearances K and K and consequently the volumes of these chambers, are quite small. This gives very high stiffness to the support and guiding air cushions and avoids contact between the slide block and the track. The noise and vibration of the auxiliaries are not transmitted to the cabin nor to the atmosphere and replacement of standard slide blocks is possible, which facilitates the maintenance of vehicle 3.

It may be further remarked that the springing chamber 408 defined by the bellows 416 isolates cabin 9 relative to the slide block 55. As the depression in the springing chamber 48 is derived from the support chamber 420 'via the orifices 446 intended for the links 409 and by the perforations 419, a particularly simple compact and cheap two-stage suspension is achieved having a suspension chamber 420 of very high elastic stiffness and small displacement, and a springing chamber 408 of low elastic stiffness but great displacement. Thus even relatively important imperfections of the track are filtered out to the great comfort of the passengers.

In the variant shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 the wings 7 of beam 1 are made in the form of walls 481 in reinforced concrete in one piece with the surface 6. The

base of the wall 481 is articularly reinforced by a prestressed cable 482, thus providing the necessary resistance to bending. This wing carries an extension 483 on which is mounted a metal flange 484 having a bevelled edge attached by bolts 485 so that the height may be adjusted to ensure perfect alignment.

The slide block 55 has sensibly the same dovetail profile as before and it comprises a chassis formed by two longerons 486 made from light alloy extrusions. The chassis also comprises two cross pieces 487. On this assembly is attached a box shaped envelope 488 made from corrugated sheet and stiffened by welded angle sections 489. Air intake into the support chambers 420 and the guide chambers 426 is achieved by extraction fans 427 whose intake manifold 431 is coupled to a flared nozzle 491 so arranged so that the air drawn in from the said chambers will be in an opposite direction to the air entering between the lips 435 and the flanges 484. The air discharged from the fans 427 is directed by the ducts 493 towards the longerons 486 which act as manifolds and which are equipped with nozzles 494 directed towards the oblique face of the flange 484.

In this application the lips 435 which also serve as shoes when the pneumatic support is cut oif are formed by a lateral prolongation of the longerons 486.

The air extraction fans 427, having one or more stages according to the sub-atmospheric pressure required, are driven by motors 428 having a high rotational speed, the direction of rotation being arranged such that any gyroscopic forces due to accelerations subjected to rotating parts by reason of the movement of the slide block are cancelled out.

Thus, as is shown in FIG. 11, the four motors 428 are arranged with parallel axes and have directions of rotation opposite for each pair.

According to another feature of this application the assembly comprising the fans 427 and the motors 428 is mounted on an independent frame 495. This is connected to the box 488 by horizontal spring-damper assemblies 496 fixed on the angle pieces 489 and the verticals 497 mounted on the chassis of the slide block 55. In the longitudinal direction the connection is ensured by a link of fixed length 498.

Preferentially, the majority of the auxiliaries of the slide block 55 and especially the traction motor, not shown, are mounted on the frame 495 so as to reduce to the minimum the unsprung mass of the slide block.

The connection between the slide block 55 and the cabin 9 is ensured, as before, both by a spring chamber 408 and an assembly of extennsible elastic links 409. The chamber 408 is defined by a bellows 416 fixed to the roof 415 and the longerons 486.

The links 409 are here constituted by oleo-pneumatic dampers and comprise an external body 401 filled with oil in which slides a piston 502 connected to a rod 503 of large diameter. A free piston 504 separates the oil chamber from a chamber 505 filled with compressed nitrogen, the compression being a function of the penetration of the rod 503 into the interior of the damper. A spring 506 opposes the expansion of the volume of compressed nitrogen which maintains rod 503 in a well defined equilibrium position. Calibrated holes 507 or calibrated release valves mounted on the piston 502 provide damping by slowing down the flow of oil across this piston.

The rigidity of the box 488 at the level of the point of attachment of the dampers 501 is achieved by sheet metal pressing 508 welded to the upper surface 417 of this There are also the following additional connections between the slide block 55 and the roof 415 of the cabin:

Transversely by sliding dampers 509 mounted between the roof 415 and the bottom 511 of the box 55. These dampers control transverse oscillations of the cabin 9.

Longitudinally by a rigid link 512 mounted on ball joints which transmit acceleration and braking forces between the cabin 9 and the slide block 55.

Safety cables 513 further attach the longerons 486 of the slide block to the roof 415 of the cabin 9. The cables 513 prevent the cabin 9 falling in case of the accidental breakage of the dampers 501.

Preferentially the depression obtaining in the support chamber 420 is first communicated to the interior of the box 488 of the slide block 55, so that the walls of the latter are only subjected to small forces, then to the interior of the spring chamber 408 by calibrated orifices practiced in the lower surface 511 of the box 488. Only one of these orifices 515 has been shown (FIG. 11).

The surface area and the volume of the spring chamber 408, the form of the bellows 416, the depression provided in this chamber, and the stiifnesses of the pneumatic 505 and mechanical 506 springs and of the damper 501, are so determined that the mean frequency of vertical oscillations shall be between 1 and 1.5 Hz. whatever the load of the cabin 9, so that the vertical accelerations of the cabin correspond to a physiological optimum for the passengers.

The operation of the supporting and springing arrangements are similar to those already described. The slide block 55, being light, easily follows track defects, and its oscillations are opposed by the movements of the mechanical assembly mounted on the frame 495 owing to its inertia.

The characteristics and the dispositon of the springdampers 496 and 497 are so arranged that these organs permit effective control of oscillation of the slide block 55 in all its axes. It is understood of course that in order to permit relative movement between the box 488 and the frame 495, the suction and delivery ducts 431 and 493 are made in a flexible material.

It is understood that it would not be beyond the scope of the present invention to make the beam 1 in box section, not in reinforced concrete, but with sheet steel assembled within internal webs, the wings being preferentially formed by structural members.

Another improvement of the present invention concerns a points system for the track and is shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 on which may be seen the common part of the track 521, the main line 522 and the branch line 523. These tracks which provide the support of the slide blocks by sub-atmospheric pressure are attached to the beam 1 which is consequently branched and once again has a cross section in the form of an inverted U comprising lateral guide wings 524 equipped with lower flanges 523 for sealing, control, support, and acting as a safety device in case of breakdown of the air extraction system.

The wings 524 and the flanges 525 are interrupted over a certain length at the entry to the points, at the beginning of the common track 521, and are replaced by retractable side sections, the straight one 526 situated on one side of the track 522 and the other, curved, 527 on the branch line side 523.

The wing sections 526, 527 are linked around vertical axes 528, 529 and are moved in rotation about these axes by servo-motors 531, 532 (preferably electric actuators) by means of links 533, 534. The limit of movement of sections 526, 527 when in alignment with the Wings 524 is effected by stops 535, 536 (FIG. 13).

The points system also comprises a movable wing 537 located at the junction of the tracks 522 and 523.

The wing 537 is capable of rotating about an imaginary vertical axis and for this reason it comprises in the neighborhood of its extremities T-shaped slides 538, 539 respectively, lodged in the dove-tail section grooves, 541, 542 located towards the interior of beam 1 from its lower face. The grooves 541 and 542 are formed by arcs of a circle whose centre is at O. The positional control of the branch 537 is effected by a servo-motor 543 housed in the beam 1 which carries a pinion meshing with an internal toothed ring 545 attached to the wing 537 by a lug 546, the whole being arranged in a housing 547 of beam 1. The movable wing 537 is thus supported over its whole length. Furthermore it is not subjected to any support force since it acts only for lateral guidance. Consequently it may be of light construction.

The movable wing 537 comprises on one side a straight side surface 548 and a lower flange 549 for sealin gthe main line 522, and on the other side a concave side surface 451 and a lower flange 552 for sealing the branch line 523.

In the main line position, the wing 537 is placed as shown in FIG. 13. The surface 548 and the flange 549 act as a continuation between the Wings 524 corresponding ot the common track 521 and the main line 522, whereas the section 527 is moved out of the way by the action of the servo-motor 532 through the link 534.

On the opposite side of the servo-motor 531 maintains the stop 535 of the section 526 butted against the wing 524, such that the continuity beween tracks 521 and 522 is ensured.

To put the points in the other position (FIG. 14), the servo-motors 531, 532 and 543 are operated to move section 526 out of the way, to move section 527 to its stop position and to enduce a rotation of the pivoting wing 537 around axis 0 until the concave surface 551 joins the corresponding wing 524 of the track 521 to the interior wing of the branch line 523.

Safety devices not shown are provided to lock the moving parts of the points in one of the two positions, main line or branch line, and to stop vehicles on each of the tracks while the points are changing. This may be advantageously effected by applying atmospheric pressure over a predetermined length of the lower surfaces of the beams providing support, on each side of the points.

In the improved points system referred to in FIGS. 16 to 24, beam 1 is still of the box type and may be made either in metal or in reinforced concrete. Its lower support surface forms the common line 561, the main line 562 and the branch line 563 (FIG. 17).

The interior of beam 1 serves to house the moving parts of the points system, as may be seen, those parts not in use being retracted into the interior of said beam.

The track 561 is again provided on each side with guiding wings equipped with flanges. One of these wings 564 is straight and acts as prolongation of the main line 562 on the exterior side of the junction. The other wing 565, concave on the outside, is a prolongation of the branch line 563 also on the outside. The tracks 562 and 563 also have interior wings 566, 567, which are interrupted just before the junction of the track and are locked together by a spacer 568 (FIG. 17).

The points system also comprises two wings fitted with flanges which are retractable vertically and which move in opposite directions; a curved wing 569 for the branch line and a straight wing 571 for the main line. In horizontal projection these two wings cross over on the side opposite to the common track 561, such that, in order to permit their opposite movement, Wing 569 has a section 572 which is retractable laterally by pivoting around a vertical axis 570 under the action of a servo-motor 573 and of a connecting link 574 as in the preceeding embodiment. The section 572 is arranged to be able to join up to wing 567 of the branch line 563. The servo-motor 573 is preferably formed by an electric actuator and it is enclosed in a casing 602 (FIG. 24), mounted on the side of the wing 569. The lower surface 603 of the casing 602, is at the level of the lower surface 6 of beam 1 when the wing 571 is retracted into the upper position, so as to ensure the continuity of the support surface.

Each movable wing 569 (or 571) is advantageously formed by a metallic extruded beam having a box section (FIGS. 20, 21) stiffened by regularly spaced transverse ribs 575. The profile includes a body 576 equipped with lateral extensions 577, the whole being mounted to slide in grooves 578 (or 579) practiced-in the interior of beam 1 between the vertical surfaces such as 581 and whose form corresponds to that of the moving wing.

In the lower position, the body 576 is recessed in the longitudinal slot 582 of the groove 579, the extensions 577 resting on the flanges 583 defining this slot. The lower surface 585 of the body 576 is then at the same level as the lower surface 6 of the beam 1 and thus ensures the continuity of the support surface.

The body 576 has a vertical surface 586 forming the wing itself which is terminated by a flange 587 whose width corresponds sensibly to that of the slot 582.

The moving wings 569, 571 are controlled as to their vertical displacement by a rising and falling system of opposite movement comprising (FIG. 18, 19) a succession of rocking levers 588, articulated at theircentre on supports 589 mounted on horizontal intermediate partitions 591 of the beam 1. At the extremities of the levers 588 links 592 are articulated which are also connected to wings 569, 571.

The angular drive of the levers 588 is provided by a reduction geared motor 593 (FIG. 16) which drives a transmission shaft 590. This passes through the reduction gears 594 controlling the cranks 595 connected by links 596 to the raising and lowering links 592.

An automatic locking arrangement for the wings 569, 571 in their working position (lower position) is also provided. This arrangement comprises two latches 597 (FIG. 20) mounted to slide in sleeves 598 carried by the body 576 of the Wing. The latches 597 are moved by links 599, both being connected to the end of link 592. In the locked position the chamfered noses of the latches 597 are engaged in notches 601 arranged in the walls 581 of the groove 579.

The raising and lowering system is adjusted such that the latches 597 are fully engaged in their notches 601 when the lever 588 is tilted at the end of its stroke on the corresponding side. In this position the link 596 and the crank 595 are in vertical alignment which ensures a mechanical lock in the drive.

It is also intended to arrange the extremity of the moving wings 569, 571, which seat on the side of the common track 561 on the fixed wings 564, 565 respectively, so as to avoid the slide blocks being able to catch said extremities during their passing through. To this end assuming that the direction of movement is M (FIG. 22), the extremity considered is engaged in a notch 604 of the fixed Wing, such as 565. For the direction N of movement, on the other hand, the extremity only has a chamfer 605 for connection with the flange of wing 565 (FIG. 23).

In the zone of section XIXXIX of FIG. 17 the movable wings 569 and 571 (FIG. 19) seat on the upper parts of the inclined flanges 606, 607 of the fixed wings 564, 565 such that the flanges of the moving wing 571 and the fixed wing 564 facing each other have a practically horizontal surface AA (main line) while the flanges of moving wing 569 and of the facing fixed wing 565 have a slope BB towards the interior of the curve of the branch line 563 and this is progressive.

FIG. 17 shows the points system in the main line position. The movable wing 571 is in service and is locked by latches 597 pressed into the notches 601, the whole being locked by the links 596 and the crank 595.

To change the points to the branch line position it is only necessary to start up the reduction geared motor 593 which turns the crank 595 toward the upper position by means of transmission shaft 590. The cranks pull on the links 596 and 592 and cause the levers 588 to pivot. This causes the raising of the wing 571 into the groove 579 and the lowering of the wing 569 out of groove 578.

At the beginning of movement the pull of link 592 on link 599 unlocks the latches 597 by sliding. The wing 571 is thus unlocked. Inversely at the end of the down stroke of wing 569, the latter is stopped by flanges 583 on which seat the extensions 577 whereas the link 592 continues to descend, thus producing the locking of the latches 597 by means of the link 599. The locking is facilitated by the sub-atmospheric pressure following the passage of the slide blocks which tend to pull down the wing in service and to assist the engagement of latches 597 under the effect of the thrust of the links of the mechanical drive.

As before, safety devices are set in action during the manoeuvre of the points system to ensure signalling on the main line, branch line and common line and to subject the lower face of beam 1 to atmospheric pressure.

According to a last improvement of the present invention, it is intended that beam 1 should be split up into a series of sections independent from each other and adjustable in height relative to the transverse arms 5 which carry them.

As a non-limitative numerical example, it is indicated transporter conforming to the present invention has been obtained under the following conditions for a full sized experimental realisation comprising a beam supporting the vehicle by means of three slide blocks of independant support and springing, each slide block comprising a linear electric propulsion motors.

Weight of one slide block: 120 kg.

Total weight of the vehicle loaded: 2.000 kg. Weight empty: 1.000 kg.

Useful load: 1.000 kg.

Length of vehicle: 4.6 meter Width of vehicle: 1.6 meter Height of vehicle: 1.4 meter Total support power: 18 kw.

Specific support power: 0.006 kw./l g.

Air delivery: 1.200 liters/ second.

Width of the beam: 800 millimetres.

Total support surface: 3.6 square metres. Support pressure: to g.

Propulsion power: 60 kw.

Speed along the track: 10 to 20 meters/ second. Starting thrust: 360 kg.

I claim:

1. A transporter comprising:

a continuous beam serving as a track,

at least one car suspended from and movable along said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto,

a subatmospheric air pressure supporting system comprising:

at least one support chamber which comprises a non-vertical sup-porting wall of said track which is at least partially located above a Wall of said car,

sealing means carried by said car and projecting towards a wall of said track to define a variable air gap, said sealing means permitting the displacement of said car along said track and throttling the air passage into said support chamber through said air gap,

and air extraction means connected to said support chamber for creating a subatmospheric air pressure within said chamber resulting in a force applied to said car which has an upward vertical component tending to lift said car,

characterized in that said beam carries, on each side of said supporting wall, side wings depending downwardly towards the ground and carrying transverse flanges facing each other, in that said car comprises one slide-block arranged to move in the space between the supporting wall, the wings and the flanges of the beam, said sideblock having side surfaces facing the wings and transverse surfaces located above said flanges, and means to ensure a subatmospheric pressure in at least one of the volumes thus formed between the beam and its attachments on the one hand and the slide block on the other hand.

2. A transporter in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said side wings are attached to the beam by connecting means permitting the adjustment of their position.

3. Transporter according to claim 1 and comprising pneumatic means to guide laterally said slide-block, said means comprising at least one turbine connected to the chambers formed between the side surfaces of said sideblock and the wings of the beam, said turbine maintaining within said chamber a pressure different from atmospheric pressure.

4. Transporter according to claim 1 wherein the surface of the flange of each wing of the beam which cooperates with the transverse surface of the slide-block situated above it, is so arranged that the edge of attachment of said flange to said guiding wing is situated substatnially lower than its edge nearest to the vertical axial plane of the beam.

5. Transporter according to claim 1 wherein the volumes arranged between the side surfaces of the s ide-block 13 and the wings of the beam are connected to the intake orifice of an extractor fan.

6. Transporter according to claim 1 and wherein the slide-block forms a box having a dovetail section fitting within the profile formed by the lower surface of the beam, by the wings bordering this surface and by the flanges carried by said wings.

7. Transporter according to claim 1 wherein the surface of the slide-block located above the transverse flange of the beam is provided with shoes allowing a sliding contact with said flange.

8. Transporter according to claim 1 wherein labyrinths are arranged between the flange of the wing and the transverse surfaces of the slide-block located above said flange.

9. Transporter according to claim 1 and comprising longitudinal sealing means situated near the axis of the slide-block and separating the suspension chamber into two substantially independent parts situated on each side of the vertical axial plane of the beam.

10. A transporter comprising:

a continuous beam serving as a track,

at least one car suspended from and movable along said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto,

a subatmospheric air pressure supporting system comprising:

at least one support chamber which comprises a nonvertical supporting wall of said track which is at least partially located above a wall of said car,

sealing means carried by said car and projecting towards a wall of said track to define a variable air gap, said sealing means permitting the displacement of said car along said track and throttling the air passage into said support chamber through said air gap,

and air extraction means connected to said support chamber for creating a subatmospheric air pressure within said chamber resulting in a force applied to said car which has an upward vertical component tending to lift said car,

characterized by means producing a jet air curtain at a pressure above the subatmospheric pressure in said car supporting chamber for separating said last chamber from the atmosphere.

11. Transporter according to claim and comprising means to operate two counter current fluid curtains for separating said support chamber from the atmosphere, one of said curtains produced by the air drawn into the interior of said chamber and the second of said curtains by air expelled from said chamber.

12. Transporter according to claim 11 wherein the drawn air curtain is located close to the support chamber, passing between the flanges of the wings and the transverse surfaces of the slide-block, located above said flanges, then between the wings and the facing side surfaces of the slide-block.

13. Transporter according to claim 11 wherein said expelled air curtain is located at the entry of the suction air circuit and has a direction sensibly opposite to the suction air flow.

14. Transporter according to claim 11 wherein the curtain of expelled air is located along the lower face of the transverse flange of the wing carried by the beam.

15. Transporter according to claim 11 wherein the two air curtains are created by the same air extraction fan forming part of the vehicle, the expelled air curtain corresponding to the discharge of said fan.

16. Transporter according to claim 15 wherein said air extraction fan is lodged in the slide-block, an air extraction port being arranged between the beam and the side surface of the slide-block, and an air ejection nozzle being arranged in a lateral projection of the slide-block extending under a lower face of the beam structure.

17. A transporter comprising a continuous beam serving as a track from which is suspended at least one car movable along the said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto, characterised in that it comprises a low air-pressure lifting system, the said system comprising at least one chamber which is provided between the beam and the car body and rendered partially air-tight by means of sealing members which permit the displacement of the car, the said chamber being connected to an air-extraction apparatus carried by the car and comprising at least one wall carried by the beam which is located above a wall forming part of the said car, with the result that the low pressure which is maintained to a lower value than atmospheric pressure within the chamber generates a force having an upward vertical component which contributes to the lifting of the car and wherein the car comprises a slide-block separated from the beam by a support chamber at sub-atmospheric pressure and a cabin separated from the slide-block by a spring chamber at sub-atmospheric pressure, this latter chamber being separated into two substantially independent parts by a partition close to its longitudinal axial plane.

18. A transporter comprising a continuous beam serving as a track from which is suspended at least one car movable along the said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto, characterised in that it comprises a low air-pressure lifting system, the said system comprising at least one chamber which is provided between the beam and the car body and rendered partially air tight by means of sealing members which permit the displacement of the car, the said chamber being connected to an air-extraction apparatus carried by the car and comprising at least one wall carried by the beam which is located above a wall forming part of the said car, with the result that the low pressure which is maintained to a lower value than the atmospheric pressure within the chamber generates a force having an upward vertical component which contributes to the lifting of the car and wherein this latter comprises a slide-block separated from the beam by a support chamber at sub-atmospheric pres sure and a cabin separated from the slide-block by a springing chamber, the slide-block and the cabin being further connected by elastic connecting links.

19. Transporter according to claim 18 wherein and elastic connecting links comprise oleo-pneumatic shock absonbers.

20. Transporter according to claim 18 wherein the cabin of the vehicle is attached to the slide-block by safety cables.

21. Transporter according to claim 18 and comprising in the interior of the slide-block means for air communication between the support chamber and the springing chamber.

22. A transporter comprising a continuous beam serving as a track from which is suspended at least one car movable along the said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto, characterised in that it comprises a low air-pressure lifting system, the said system comprising at least one chamber which is provided between the beam and the car body and rendered partially air-tight by means of sealing members which permit the displacement of the car, the said chamber being connected to an air-extraction apparatus carried by the car and comprising at least one wall carried by the beam which is located above a wall forming part of the said car, with the result that the low pressure which is maintained to a lower value than the atmospheric pressure within the chamber generates a force having an upward vertical component which contributes to the lifting of the car and wherein the car comprises a variable output communication circuit between the springing chamber and the cabin, this latter further comprising air entry ports 15 and means for controlling the temperature of the air passing through said ports.

23. A transporter comprising: a continuous beam serving as a track, at least one car suspended from and movable along said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto, a subatmospheric air pressure supporting system comprising:

at least one support chamber which comprises a nonvertical supporting wall of said track which is at least partially located above a wall of said car, sealing means carried by said car and projecting towards a wall of said track to define a variable air gap, said sealing means permitting the displacement of said car along said track and throttling the air passage into said support chamber through said air gap, an air extraction means connected to said support chamber for creating a subatmospheric air pressure within said chamber resulting in a force applied to said car which has an upward vertical component tending to lift said car, characterized in that said car comprises a slideblock separated from the beam by a support chamber at subatmospheric pressure and a cabin separated from the slide-block by springing means comprising pneumatic damping means for damping the movement of said cabin relatively to said side-block. 24. A transporter comprising: a continuous beam serving as a track, at least one car suspended from and movable along said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto, a subatmospheric air pressure supporting system comprising:

at least one support chamber which comprises a nonvertical supporting wall of said track which is at least partially located above a wall of said car, sealing means carried by said car and projecting towards a Wall of said track to define a variable air gap, asid sealing means permitting the displacement of said car along said track and throttling the air passage into said support chamber through said air gap, and air extraction means connected to said support chamber for creating a subatmospheric air pressure within said chamber resulting in a force applied to said car which has an upward vertical component tending to lift said car, characterized in that said car comprises a slide- -block separated from the beam by a support chamber at subatmospheric pressure and a cabin separated from said slide-block by springing means and further connected to said slide-block by elastic connecting links which are symmetrically inclined to the median plane of the cabin such that their axes meet at points situated above the lower face of the beam. 25. A transporter comprising: a continuous beam serving as a track, at least one car suspended from and movable along said track and provided with drive means for imparting thereto, a subatmospheric air pressure supporting system comprising:

at least one support chamber which comprises a nonvertical supporting wall of said track which is at least partially located above a wall of said car, sealing means carried by said car and projecting towards a wall of said track to define a variable air gap, said sealing means permitting the displacement of said car along said track and throttling the air passage into said support chamber through said air gap,

and air extraction means connected to said support chamber for creating a subatmospheric air pressure within said chamber resulting in a force applied to said car which has an upward vertical component tending to lift said car,

characterized in that said car comprises at least one slide-block slidably mounted along said beam and auxiliaries, at least one part of said auxiliaries of the car, such as the air extraction fans and the propulsion motors, being housed within the slide-block.

26. Transporter according to claim 25 wherein a part at least of the auxiliaries of the vehicle are mounted on a rigid frame, this latter being mounted elastically relative to the slide-block.

27. Transporter according to claim 26 wherein the frame carrying at least a part of the auxiliaries is movable vertically and transversally relative to the slide-block, the connection with the slide-block being made by means of springs equipped with damping means.

28. Transporter according to claim 25 wherein the slide-block contains pairs of air extraction fans symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the slide-block, the fans of any one pair turning in opposite directions.

29. A transporter comprising:

a continuous beam serving as a track,

at least one car suspended from and movable along said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto,

a subatmospheric air pressure supporting system com prising:

at least one support chamber which comprises a non-vertical supporting wall of said track which is at least partially located above a wall of said car,

sealing means carried by said car and projecting towards a wall of said track to define a variable air gap, said sealing means permitting the displacement of said car along said track and throttling the air passage into said support chamber through said air gap,

and air extraction means connected to said support chamber for creating a subatmospheric air pressure within said chamber resulting in a force applied to said car which has an upward vertical component tending to lift said car,

characterized in that the beam comprises a system of points including firstly a support surface common to the main line and to the branch line at the junction of these two lines, and secondly at least one guide Wing movable between two positions, of which at least one is an operating position.

30. Transporter according to claim 29 wherein the movable guide wing has a straight side face and a curvilinear side face and wherein means are provided to move the movable wing into one or other of two positions in which it assures respectively the continuation of the interior wing of the main line with the wing of the common track situated in alignment or the connection of the interior wing of the branch line with the facing wing of the common track.

31. Transporter according to claim 30 wherein the movable wing is suspended from slides lodged in curvilinear grooves practiced in the lower face of the beam, which also contains means for moving said movable wing.

, 32. Transporter according to claim 30 wherein the wings of the beam in the common parts of the lines include sections of the wings retractable laterally to permit the movement of the moving wing, means being further I 7 provided to ensure the rotational movement of the said wing sections.

33. Transporter according to claim 32 wherein the movable wings when in the upper position are lodged within housing practiced within the beam, said wings comprising on their lower parts flanges, which, in the upper position substantially re-establish the continuity of the support surface.

34. Transporter according to claim 29 wherein the movable wing is retractable into the lower part of the beam.

35. Transporter according to claim 29 and comprising two wings alternatively retractable by vertical displacement into the support face situated in the lower part of the beam, one of these wings corresponding to the main line and the other to the branch line.

36. Transporter according to claim 35 wherein the two wings are mechanically connected in movement by means of articulated levers mounted within the beam, these levers being connected to the wings concerned by links.

37. Transporter according to claim 36 comprising raising lowering means for the wings, said means comprising a linkage controlling the position of said levers.

38. Transporter according to claim 35 wherein the beam contains means for raising and lowering the wings, said means comprising cranks connected to at least one of the wings by a linkage.

39. Transporter according to claim 35 wherein the wings are connected by a linkage to means for raising and lowering, said linkage controlling sliding latches which allow the wings to be locked in the lower position.

40. A transporter comprising:

a continuous beam serving as a track,

at least one car suspended from and movable along said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto,

a subatmospheric air pressure supporting system comprising:

at least one support chamber which comprises a non-vertical supporting wall of said track which is at least partially located above a wall of said car,

sealing means carried by said car and projecting towards a wall of said track to define a variable air gap, said sealing means permitting the displacement of said car along said track and throttling the air passage into said support chamber through said air gap,

and air extraction means connected to said support chamber for creating a subatmospheric air pressure within said chamber resulting in a force applied to said car which has an upward vertical component tending to lift said car,

characterized by successive side-blocks connected together by intermediate flexible joints having the same profile as the frontal walls of the slide- 1 blocks.

41. A transporter comprising:

a continuous beam serving as a track,

at least one car suspended from and movable along said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto,

a subatmospheric air pressure supporting system comprising:

at least one support chamber which comprises a non-vertical supporting wall of said track which is at least partially located above a wall of said car,

sealing means carried by said car and projecting towards a wall of said track to define a variable air gap, said sealing means permitting the displacement of said car along said track and throttling the air passage into said support chamber through said air gap,

and air extraction means connected to said support chamber for creating a subatmospheric air pressure within said chamber resulting in a force applied to said car which has an upward vertical component tending to lift said car,

characterized in that the cabin comprises stifiening members for the transverse faces to which are attached elastically extending links connecting it with the slide-block.

42. A transporter comprising:

a continuous beam serving as a track,

at least one car suspended from and movable along said track and provided with drive means for imparting motion thereto,

a subatmospheric air pressure supporting system comprising:

at least one support chamber which comprises a non-vertical supporting wall of said track which is at least partially located above a wall of said car,

sealing means carried by said car and projecting towards a wall of said track to define a variable air gap, said sealing means permitting the displacement of said car along said track and throttling the air passage into said support chamber through said air gap,

and air extraction means connected to said support chamber for creating a subatmospheric air pressure within said chamber resulting in a force applied to said car which has an upward vertical component tending to lift said car,

characterized in that the beam is formed by a succession of sections adjustable in height relative to their supports.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,698,482 1/1929 Nicin 18015 2,511,979 6/1950 Goddard 104l38 3,106,171 10/1963 Julien 105-149 XR 3,125,964 3/1964 Silverman 10489 3,167,145 l/l965 Mackie 212134 3,225,228 12/1965 Roshala 31012 3,233,556 2/1966 McDonald 104-89 3,381,541 5/1968 Thireau et al. 74207 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner H. BELTRAN, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

